[Bonus Chapter]
***
(3rd Person POV)
Robert watched helplessly as his carefully orchestrated plan crumbled. Arthur's generous offer had completely changed the protest's momentum.
"Don't fall for his tricks!" Robert shouted desperately, waving his arms at the news cameras. "He's just trying to manipulate you all!"
But the protesters had already begun exchanging thoughtful looks. One by one, they turned away from Robert.
"We need work, not more protests," a demon worker said firmly.
"This young man's offering real opportunities," an elderly demon added. "Better than standing here shouting all day."
Seeing his influence evaporating, Robert swallowed his pride. "Fine," he managed through gritted teeth. "Let's see if the exiled prince keeps his word about these jobs."
Arthur's smile never wavered as he gestured to nearby employees carrying stacks of application forms. "Choose whatever position interests you. We provide paid training for all roles, whether at Hellfire Electronics or Hellscape Center."
The cameras rolled as protesters approached Arthur, offering awkward thanks and apologies for their earlier hostility. The demonstration had transformed into an impromptu job fair.
Surrounded by reporters, Arthur spoke with practiced ease. "Computers aren't here to replace workers - they're tools to make work easier and more efficient. When implemented properly, they boost our kingdom's economic growth." He continued fielding questions until the last reporter departed, knowing he'd turned a potential crisis into a public relations triumph.
Back inside Hellfire HQ, Firfel and the others greeted Arthur with newfound admiration.
"Offering them jobs was unexpected, but brilliant," Firfel said warmly. "You turned enemies into potential allies."
"The computer market will expand rapidly," Arthur replied with a knowing smile. "We'll need the additional workforce to meet production demands. This protest actually solved our upcoming staffing needs."
***
By the next day, public opinion had shifted dramatically. Those who'd condemned Arthur for job displacement now praised his commitment to creating employment opportunities.
The majority of applicants gravitated toward Hellfire Electronics' factory positions, eager to be part of the growing computer industry. A smaller number sought positions at Hellscape Center's various branches as cashiers.
Hellscape Center had already established dominance over traditional shopping venues, its multiple locations throughout Horn Kingdom drawing unprecedented foot traffic. Arthur had systematically acquired struggling malls, transforming them into new Hellscape branches.
The Arcade Section remained Hellscape's crown jewel, drawing diverse crowds - reformed gambling addicts found a safer entertainment outlet, nearby office workers spent lunch breaks there, and students flocked to the machines after classes.
Fantasia Plaza, formerly Horn Kingdom's premier shopping destination, struggled to compete. Their attempt to match Hellscape's success with dwarven-made gaming machines fell flat. Despite marketing efforts, these imitation arcades failed to capture the magic that made Hellscape's arcade section so compelling.
The stark difference in popularity highlighted how far Hellscape had pulled ahead of traditional shopping centers, with even established competitors like Fantasia Plaza struggling to adapt to the new retail landscape Arthur had created.
Multiple companies approached Arthur with lucrative offers to acquire arcade machine production rights, seeing the potential in Hellscape's entertainment success. Arthur declined each offer without hesitation, keeping his long-term strategy for home video game consoles intact.
For now, his focus remained on establishing Hellfire Electronics through the computer industry. Though renowned for Hellfire Studio's filmmaking success, Arthur needed to prove himself in electronics before unveiling his gaming console plans. By then, resistance to his expansion into new industries would have diminished considerably.
His strategy was working - the established companies' opposition to his computer venture gradually weakened. The business community's skepticism about his ventures beyond entertainment began giving way to curiosity and respect.
***
Meanwhile, new cashier applicants arrived at Hellscape Center expecting familiar work. They'd mastered traditional magical price-checking methods - the standard Rune-based patterns read by Runescriber Decoder contraptions used throughout Horn Kingdom's retail sector.
Instead, they encountered something entirely different. Hellscape Center was implementing a new price-checking system combining computers with devices called "barcode scanners" - terms that drew blank looks from even experienced retail workers.
Though the system wasn't fully implemented yet, these new employees found themselves training on unfamiliar technology rather than the magical methods they'd used throughout their careers.
The transition from magical price-checking to computerized scanning represented yet another way Arthur was quietly revolutionizing standard business practices.
In the empty store's checkout area, three cashier trainees practiced with their new equipment.
"Never thought I'd need to master this device just to run a register," a demon cashier sighed, eyeing the computer warily.
"Arthur's determined to put these machines everywhere, even in shopping malls," another added, shaking his head.
The third demon held up a product, studying the strange black and white lined pattern printed on it. "This weird striped marking gets read by that light-wand thing and..." He waved the scanner, watching as numbers instantly appeared on screen. "The price just shows up. Strange, but kind of fun actually."
"You're right," the others agreed, repeatedly scanning items and laughing when the computer flagged duplicates.
"Once we get used to this, it'll be way easier than messing with those finicky Runescriber Decoders," one observed.
Their practice session was interrupted by voices and footsteps. They started to call out that the store was closed for training, but fell silent as Arthur appeared, leading a group of well-dressed demons.
After they stammered greetings, Arthur smiled warmly. "Ladies and gentlemen," he addressed his guests, "these employees will demonstrate our new price-checking system that makes the current Runestring Engraving System obsolete."
The visiting demons watched with interest as Arthur turned to the cashiers. "Show them how our light-reading system and computer make price-checking instantaneous." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "These are business owners and representatives- impress them and you'll earn yourselves a raise."
The trainees exchanged nervous glances, surprised by the impromptu demonstration request. But the promise of extra pay steeled their resolve.
Jacob cleared his throat nervously, facing the assembled business leaders. "Respected people," he began, holding up the scanning device, "This is called..." He glanced at the label quickly, "a barcode scanner."
While his colleagues played customer roles, Jacob continued, "It reads these striped markings on items, and instantly displays the price on the computer screen..."
He demonstrated the process repeatedly, showing how each scan immediately registered prices and how the computer's calculator function automatically tabulated the total. The business owners maintained neutral expressions, but their eyes revealed growing interest in this new and unfamiliar system.
The demonstration's efficiency particularly caught the attention of Arthur's established partners. Dulo from HOLLOW and Harry from Waves Corporation exchanged meaningful glances.
"I must say," Dulo spoke up, "this surpasses Dwalric Corporation's Runestring Engraving System in both speed and convenience. The efficiency improvement is remarkable."
"The simplified marking system is genius," another owner added. "Using printed stripes instead of expensive rune engravings? That's a significant."
Arthur nodded in confirmation. "We've developed printers and computer software to generate these 'barcodes' easily."
Though terms like "software" still mystified many present, one fact became clear - this system would cost significantly less than Dwalric's magical price-checking equipment. The implications for retail operations were staggering.
The visiting business leaders began calculating potential savings, while Dwalric Corporation's expensive system suddenly seemed outdated.
The Dwalric Corporation had revolutionized retail a century ago with their Runestring Engraving System. Worth 35 billion dollars, they held a global monopoly - every retail establishment worldwide relied on their Runescriber Decoders, and majority of products carried their patented Rune-based patterns.
Their control was absolute. Companies worldwide paid royalties for using their Rune-based patterns, with no alternatives available. Until now.
As the business owners watched the barcode demonstration, they recognized a seismic shift approaching in retail technology.
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